Valve protector for gas containers



Feb. 27, 1934. G. JAEGER VALVE PROTECTOR FOR GAS CONTAINERS Illa- Filed NOV. 4. 1931 Zhwentor GEBHARD \JAEGER A (Ittorneg Patented Feb. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE This invention relates more particularly to a cap for protecting the valve of the containers commonly used to store oxygen, nitrogen, acetylene or other gases.

Heretofore such protecting caps have been screwed onto and ofi the container thereby involving much loss of time and expense. Moreover the screw thread in the container was more or less subject to injury due to the carelessness of workmen handling them making it diificult or impracticable to apply the cap.

The invention is embodied in the examples herein shown and described, the features of novelty being finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with parts in section showing the discharge or valve end the container with the invention applied.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the valve protector opened from the container at one of the halves only and exposing the valve.

Fig. 3 is a view like that shown in Fig. 2 of a modification.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the protector as seen in Fig. 1.

In the views the container, a fraction only which is shown is designated 20 and the valve thereoi to be protected at 21.

The protecting device includes a base ring 5 which primarily supports the cap parts and is secured to the neck of the gas container in any suitable manner. In Fig. 2 the ring is shown as secured to the neck of the container by indenting the metal at several points with a steel punch contiguous parts of the ring and container. If the protector is to be applied to the standard threaded neck ring of a gas container, then the ring 5 can be provided with an internal screw thread, as indicated at 5 in Fig. 3.

In either case in the instances shown the protector base ring 5 is provided with an annular groove 6 and 2. lug 7 into which is screwed or otherwise secured a hinging pin 8 standing parallel to the axis of the container.

Theprotector proper is generally of cylindrical form and composed of substantially two half parts 9 and 10 each provided with an opening in its side, said half parts when closed together forming a cap closed at the top. The half parts 9 and 10 are each provided at one edge with a pair of hinging ears 9 and 1G respectively that engage the hinging pin 8 on the base ring so that each of the cap parts is capable of being swung therein and away from the valve protecting position. The pin 8 is provided with a head 11 to secure the cap parts from accidental disconnection from the base ring or container.

The lower edge 0! each of the cap parts is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 12 that removably fits, in the annular groove of the base ring when the cap parts are closed in valve protecting position. In Fig. 3 this element of construction is shown as a double tongue and groove connection, that is to say the cap part and base ring each has a compound tongue and groove. The purpose of such construction in each form is to provide a firm connection between the cap and. the base ring when the cap is in closed or valve protecting position and the container is being transported and handled.

To latch the cap parts in closed position there is provided in one of the cap parts spring actuated pin 14 to engage at its upper end a socketed ear 15 in the other cap part. A finger piece I l in the latching pin is provided for manual depression of the pin against the action of the spring to release the engagement of the pin and permit the opening of the cap parts to expose the valve for usual operation as in practice.

The forms of the parts can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A valve protector for a gas container, said container having a pin afiixed thereto parallel to the axis of the container, said protector including two parts hinged on said pin and adapted to open from and close around said valve by movement parallel to the end of the container and means for latching said parts in closed position.

2. In combination with a gas container having a valve at its discharge end and an engaging memher on said end of the container, a protector for the valve including two parts hinged to the container and adapted to be moved to open and close said valve by movement parallel to the end of the container and means on said protector parts adapted to engage said engaging means of the container.

3. In combination with a gas container having a valve at its discharge end and an engaging groove at said end of the container, a protector for the valve including two parts hinged to the container and adapted to be moved to expose and inclose said valve by movement parallel to the end of the container and a tongue on said protector parts adapted to engage said engaging groove of the container.

l. A gas container having a valve, a protector for said valve including a base ring for connection with the container, 2. hinging pin on the ring standing at right angles to the plane of the ring and a two-part cap hinged to said hinging pin the parts of said cap adapted to be opened to expose the valve and closed to confine the same by movement in planes parallel to said ring.

GEBHARD JAEGER. 

